2016 RAM 1500 Overview

The RAM 1500 full-size pickup truck adds two new exciting trim levels for 2016, the luxurious Laramie Limited which is now the top trim level, and the off-road oriented Rebel.

The Laramie Limited offers an alternative to the Longhorn and its more rustic interior, with all-black leather, 20-inch wheels, and a unique grille that replaces the traditional crosshair with large RAM lettering. The Rebel is designed to be an off-road capable “out of the box” truck with an air suspension that can add ground clearance, interior styling touches, front tow hooks, and a skid plate.

The light-duty RAM 1500 is offered in three cab configurations (regular, quad, and crew) and two bed lengths (short and long). Exterior styling on the remaining trims remains consistent to its last update: a large crosshair grille up front and a rounder aesthetic than is found on much of the competition, like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150. RAM’s unique RAMBOX cargo storage is optional; it turns the areas over the wheel wells into lockable boxes that even have drainage plugs so you can fill them with ice, making this a useful option for those who tailgate or barbecue frequently.

There are now four engine options for the RAM 1500 after the introduction of the EcoDiesel V-6 last year. The base engine is a version of the Pentastar V-6 found throughout Chrysler’s autogroup, a 305-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 making 269 pounds-feet of torque. Up next is a pair of V-8s, a 310-hp, 4.7-liter V-8 which makes 330 pounds-feet of torque and a larger 395-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 that makes 403 pounds-feet of torque. Rounding things out is the EcoDiesel, a 240-hp, turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 420 pounds-feet of torque.

Both V-6 engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the V-8s get a six-speed automatic (the larger V-8 can add the eight-speed as an option). Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive available.

The RAM 1500 has one of our favorite truck interiors, especially in higher trim levels where it uses excellent materials and has an extremely comfortable cabin space. There is no traditional gear lever, instead a round knob located up on the dashboard moves the 1500 into reverse, park, etc. Standard features include cloth upholstery, air conditioning, a USB port, and for 2016 Bluetooth connectivity. An 8.4-inch touchscreen display is available with the UConnect multimedia system, as are automatic climate control and heated/ventilated front seats.

Standard safety features include six airbags, traction control, an electronic stability system, antilock brakes, and an integrated trailer brake controller.

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